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Dan DeWitt's avatar

I think you're good, Martha, and really appreciate your support.

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Tom T Traywick's avatar

Hey Dan, Thank you for doing what you do. I need it. As I write the rains have come and the evacuation is lifted. Hallelujah!

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Craig Zimring's avatar

We want to pay! What's the best way to do this?

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Dan DeWitt's avatar

Thank you, Craig! Click on the green subscribe button at top of the story. There should be options for both free and paid. Just click on "paid" and you can sign up for either annual ($70) or monthly ($7) plans.

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C Vaughan's avatar

I don't know if this will help anyone but I guess it's worth a try. There's a really good documentary about the California fires in Paradise and Malibu Canyon @ 2018 named "Bring Your Own Brigade" in the section about Malibu the film-makers interviewed this person in Malibu Canyon whose home survived the fires while all the houses around were burned down. 2 things I remember him stressing. 1. seal off your soffit and roof vents. The heated up attic space is venting upwards like a chimney and drawing in fine embers in the air through the soffit and next thing you get is an attic fire and as everyone should know that's it for the structure. 2. Keep the area surrounding the structure completely clear of all fuel including foundation shrubbery and landscaping plants for at least 10-12 feet and 20 feet is better. Also nothing overhead in the same perimeter. I know that's a tough one for homes in the mountains. Goodbye shade unless you have a covered porch. Fire retardant sprays for home exteriors are also now widely available: They're not cheap.

Good Luck! Don't count on insurance to re-make you whole!

https://www.google.com/search?q=Fire+prevention+spray+treatments+for+homes&rlz=1C1ONGR_enUS1128US1128&oq=Fire+prevention+spray+treatments+for+homes&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOdIBCTIzNTEwajBqN6gCALACAA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

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Ian Cowie's avatar

Thanks for the update. Keep safe and pray for a bit of rain.

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Pam's avatar

Hands clasped the rains reach your homes in time!

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Karen's avatar

I sincerely hope your homes are safe. I sincerely appreciate your local reporting and welcome hearing a bit more of your opinions as well. I am happy to pay for your excellent work!

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Martha Bridges's avatar

We're ready and more than happy to reactivate our paid subscription as soon as you are. Thanks so much for the work you do and for getting back into it!

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Beth G. Hoffmeister's avatar

Glad you are back. I know Jim signed us up for a paid subscription. Your articles are so well written and thorough. We really appreciate what you offer this community! Thank you!

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C Vaughan's avatar

300 club. You should aim for a 700 club!

I was back in the area for a visit this past weekend . First visit since Helene. Some good hikes! Climbed Shining Rock via Old Butt, Wolf Ford to the BRP, and Cold Mt. from the Scout Camp. The flooding along the Little East Fork and the West Fork and the Pigeon was alarming. How are people going to rebuild all those driveway bridges? My hiking buddy and I were left wondering if the potential for flooding is becoming endemic after the 2021 floods and now Helene and can it be managed? Why specifically (beyond climate change in general) is it occurring? Can these types of repeated events be managed WRT infrastructure? What th' heck is going on? These would make interesting articles or maybe a great series.

Thanks for the work you do. Adds depth to perception.

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C Vaughan's avatar

Wow now I see that the Rattlesnake Branch fire was right below where we were Sunday on Cold Mt. and we didn't see a sign of smoke or fire. Floods, Fire. What's next.

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Sally Leonard's avatar

Keep on writing Dan! I really enjoy reading your interesting and informed stories.

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Nancy DePippo's avatar

Well said Rachel. I was gonna say the exact same thing. Be safe!!! Money well spent for us too.

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Rachel Hall's avatar

First of all I sincerely hope your home will be safe and that you have a good place to stay for more.

Secondly I'm very happy to hear you'll be writing. I enjoy your style and your research so thank you.

Lastly, I'm happy to pay. We'll worth it.

Rachel Hall

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